What is the chorus?

The Chorus aims to inform the audience about vital plot elements, reveal the inner thoughts of
the characters, and deliver important moral messages to the audience.
They would often be the first and last to speak in a play, allowing them to both foreshadow and
reminisce on events in the narrative. On some occasions, they would even converse with the
characters, offering them wisdom and advice.

To give the actors time

One of the simplest but most important reasons for the Chorus is to give the actors a breather.
Costume changes and prop preparation take time, and the Chorus provides the perfect
distraction for the actors to get ready for a new scene.

To commentate on the action to the audience

By providing commentary on the story, revealing hidden messages, and pushing the narrative’s
major themes, the Chorus helps to guide the audience's understanding of the direction the play
is taking. They also provide clarity to the audience, as when there is one actor playing multiple
parts, the play can get confusing!

To reveal the characters' inner thoughts and feelings

Without the Chorus there would be few ways to understand the secret feelings and motivations
of a character. By granting access to these private thoughts, the Chorus provides the spectators
with more knowledge about the action unfolding than the characters have themselves. This
creates dramatic irony and helps the audience feel more involved in the action.
Simplified info

What is the chorus?

The Chorus is the link between the actor and the audience. They help the spectator
understand the narrative, appreciate certain themes, and access the inner thoughts of
characters. They would often be the first and last to speak in a play, allowing them to both
foreshadow and reminisce on events in the narrative. On some occasions, they would even
converse with the characters, offering them wisdom and advice.

How does the chorus work?

The Chorus works by talking to the audience, where they can give opinions on the
characters, emphasise certain elements and downplay others to create the effect desired by
the dramatist.

Why is the chorus important to literature?

The Chorus can reveal things to the audience that they would otherwise have no way of knowing.
This links the actor more closely to the spectator, making the audience more invested in the story.